EDMOND, Okla. - Midwestern State's Zack Eskridge passed for 325 yards and four touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to overcome three turnovers and 15 penalties as Central Oklahoma came away with a 38-33 win Saturday afternoon at Wantland Stadium.

"It was ugly for coaches and players," MSU coach Bill Maskill said. "We aren't good enough to play below par. Their will was stronger and their production was better."

It was the Mustangs first loss to an Oklahoma school since a 31-28 setback to East Central on Oct. 6, 2001 - a span of  24 games. Current coach Bill Maskill fell to 21-1 against schools hailing from North of the Red River.

The Bronchos, who won their fifth-straight game to improve 5-4, benefited from an early turnover and a short field to take a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

Eskridge struck for his first two scoring strikes in the second quarter as he hit Marlon Haynes on a 25-yard post route at the 10:49-mark and connected with Brandon Frazier for a 45-yard TD with 2:37 to go until halftime.

But in between scoring strikes, the sophomore quarterback threw off of his back foot while facing an all-out UCO blitz.

Bronchos' junior linebacker Terry Hardeman snagged it out of the air and raced 69 yards for a score allowing UCO to take a 24-13 lead into the intermission.

Hardeman would finish with a game-high 16 tackles.

The Mustangs were in prime position to climb back into the game at the start of the second half after an errant snap on a punt gave them possession on the 1-yard line.

Eskridge appeared to have crossed the goal line on second down but was ruled down just inches from the goal line, then MSU was whistled for a false start on third and had to settle for a 26-yard field goal by Jose Martinez to climb within 24-16.

"We had three bad plays in a row," Maskill said. "We got to have our offense step and say, 'I'm a man, I'm going to step and get it in there,' but they didn't."

Central Oklahoma quarterback Brandon Noohi, who passed for 225 yards and accounted for three touchdowns, capped a six-play, 59-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run to put the Bronchos up 31-16 going into the fourth quarter.

Once again, the Mustangs charged back to climb within a touchdown after Eskridge found David Little on a 7-yard slant 24 seconds into the fourth quarter. After Eskridge completed the 2-point conversion to Mookie Davis, MSU trailed 31-24.

After a three-and-out, MSU punt returner BeeJay Mathis returned a punt 47 yards to the UCO 13-yard line, but the Mustangs were unable to capitalize and, once again, had to settle for a 32-yard Martinez field goal.

That's as close as Midwestern would get.

The Mustangs were penalized 15 times for 145 yards and Central Oklahoma turned three MSU turnovers into 14 points.

Midwestern State battles Eastern New Mexico next Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.